Reviews - What Is The What: The Autobiography Of Valentino Achak Deng

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878 reviews for:

What Is The What: The Autobiography Of Valentino Achak Deng

I'm so ignorant. This book has helped to enlighten me, but I have a long way to go. Hard to imagine that one boy/man, let alone an entire culture, could experience so much tragedy...yet it happens all the time.

mumina's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 6%

This book was so obviously written by someone so far removed from the circumstances of the story I physically could not continue reading it

heloise_xcu's review against another edition

4.0

Such a humble, profound, beautiful story. My heart ached for Achek Valentino Dominic through his darkest times and overflowed with joy through his hopes and dreams.

h2oetry's review against another edition

170

kayla2393's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

yas_azizam's review against another edition

4.0

This is a powerful, raw story that has opened my eyes to the situation in Sudan more than any news articles, textbooks, or video clips have been able to do. Although I struggled with the shifting perspectives and timelines in the beginning, about 1/3 of the way through, this book hit it's stride and I was completely captivated by the tragedy, despair, hope, and love that pervaded Valentino's life. I highly recommend this book to anyone. May we all feel so blessed to have the lives that we have, and give all that we can to those less fortunate than us.

(Disclaimer: I am slightly heartbroken over the sexism in parts of this novel, and how women/girls are treated both historically and culturally in Sudan. I fear that the Lost Girls are even more forgotten and lost.)